You Know That I Would Now If Only I Could
A brand new baby was born yesterday
Just in time
Papa cried, baby cried
Said "Your tears are like mine"
I heard some words
From a friend on the phone
That didn’t sound so good
The doctor gave him two weeks to live
I’d give him more if I could
You know that I would now
If only I could
You know that I would now
If only I could
Down the middle drops one more
Grain of sand
They say that
New life makes losing life easier to understand
Words are kind
They helped ease the mind
I’ll miss my old friend
And though you gotta go
We’ll keep a piece of your soul
One goes out
One comes in
You know that I would now
If only I could
You know that I would now
If only I could
— Jack Johnson , If I Could
I’ve been getting emails for some time wondering what Hunter would say about this election. We know his love of politics, also his loathing of politics, and yes, I would say he’d be for Obama. He did vote for Nader in 2000, but it was because Colorado was so far Right in the polls that a vote for Nader was a vote for that 5% we were all hoping Nader would get (which would have meant federal matching funds for campaigning… the pseudo birth of a third party)… We all know what a failure that was.
Then in 2004, he was initially for Wesley Clark (he and Michael Moore shared that sentiment) and eventually wrote in support of John Kerry.
This election cycle has become increasingly painful for those of us who were close to him, and for many of you who were close to his writing around election time. I go in and out of excitement and extreme personal depression and back again in a Hunterless roller coaster. But with a lot of hard work, and luck, I hope that we will take back the White House.
Perhaps the most important message Hunter taught us about Politics is that it is an art, for ALL of us. "Politics is the art of controlling your environment." Thus, to answer your emails, I would say, it is an art not just for politicians, but you…personally. So, do what you can to control your environment, particularly if you’re in a swing state, right? Make calls, do the rounds: get involved.
I’ve gotta run to class, but didn’t want you to think I was ignoring emails. But remember, I’m not a professional journalist, I don’t try to write or act like Hunter, but I do try to follow his wisdom, which is to be my own person — advice he gave to everyone. So, those disappointed in my style — that is NOT Hunter’s style, please check out Hey Rube, or Better Than Sex, Fear and Loathing on The Campaign Trail for past campaign coverage… but definately get busy with your own life…and make some calls for the Obama campaign, or write a blog or something. Again, you can always open a page of Hunter’s work if you want your spirit lifted. In those pages, he will live forever. Regardless, I do feel your pain. I wish I could bring him back too…
Okay, your friend,
Anita Thompson
